Current UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja has been given the seal of approval by the G.O.A.T in the weight class, Demetrious Johnson, who has suggested that ‘The Cannibal’ can bring stability at the summit of the 125lb ladder.
“I think he’s great – I’ve always had big praise for Alexandre Pantoja,” Johnson told MMA Junkie after watching Pantoja successfully defend his title for the first time against Brandon Royval at UFC 296. “I’ve always thought he’s a dark horse. He’s a very good. He’s a very good grappler and that’s his strong suit. He’s got a very good chin, and in the fight he looked great.
“Brandon really impressed me. I thought that Brandon was just going to get destroyed by Pantoja, but he showed a lot of heart and grit. He was very good off his back and that’s where I think he did most of his damage, off his back, and on the feet, too. He did a good job. It was a great fight.
“Pantoja is great for the flyweight division, and I can’t wait to see who he’s going to fight next.”
Flyweight is a division where the title has been constantly changing hands in recent years since Johnson’s own 11 successful defenses of the belt finally came to an end with a loss to Henry Cejudo in 2018.
Cejudo did go on to defend the title once, but would go on to vacate the belt, leading to a few years where it would then repeatedly change hands between Deiveson Figueireo and Brandon Moreno during their quadrilogy, before Pantoja then stepped in to become champion early this year with a split-decision win over Moreno.
And Johnson believes he can now go on to enjoy an extended run as the 125lb kingpin.
““I think so, yeah. He has the full, complete set,” Johnson said. “I think that only thing I saw this weekend that Brandon could’ve taken advantage of, was that he was so focused on defending the takedown and out striking Pantoja – I don’t think you’re going to knockout Pantoja, he’s got a chin. I think if Brandon wrestled him, like ‘OK, I’m going to take the grappling to you and put you on your back and force,’ that’s where Pantoja looked like he was depleting most of his gas tank. They would get in a scramble and Brandon would get up and that’s where he would start with the jab. I think if Pantoja will look back and think, ‘I have to work in X, Y and Z.’
“Also, he’s getting older, he’s been fighting for a very long time, how much longer does he want to do it – all these things play a factor in stability in being a champion. When I look back when I did it, 11 consecutive title defenses, finishes, and always trying to be ahead a step of my competition. It’s a lot of work. It’s not just the fights. You’re training, staying healthy, and your mind set. How much longer does he want to do it? It all boils down to all that stuff.”
